Jaro_423

I felt that Cesar's leaping into sorting CJ's flight to Australia was just such a gesture of healing which will help break the deadlock. I was very touched by his anticipating CJ's exact reaction and already sorting it for him. That is so very precious.

More tears at CJ's reaction to elements in the Holocaust, at the news of Ozzie's sister Liz; and angst at the turmoil caused by politics and religion. And somewhere in the tour there's was some thread of CJ here and there to keep it all together. Loved the dive the best.

I was about to post the same quote and observation, thanks.

You chose a good topic for a family conflict. What's interesting is to see how alike CJ and his father are when it comes to something they feel strongly about, and that makes for a family conflict of note, though I'm sure in time they will get through it with Brett's help. Great info on Ritchie being given more responsibility and seeing him with his friends. I can see he's following his bro and going to end up with his own squad too. Lol. And good to see Silas making great progress. Makes me tearful just to think about his former situation, which is common for far too many young folk in his position.

Sorry. I missed commenting here, but am back. I'm sure I did read this though. Very chaotic collection of incidents with lots of names bandied about. It's so very complicated to try and keep a handle on. How do you do that?

As usual, packed with activities. Quite difficult keeping up with their busy lives and many interactions. You do a great job juggling all of this, Carlos. Thank you. It was great having Owen's parents visit and see something of Owen and CJ's lives in the USA. Good to see the advance plans for their wedding being made well ahead for things like vast quantities of wine. Lol. And next the honeymoon. That should be interesting.

Lovely chapter full of fun and laughter and family and friends. Very nice.

Wow! The chapter was a buzz of activity and their going out for the evening was just another one of many things happening, though when I look back I see you were really sneakily putting in bunch of wedding stories there to lead up. But I did not expect that. First hint was CJ feeling nervous. I'm so happy about this. Yes! Yes! Yes! And btw, great job Mr Smart and Clever Writer of Romance. Lol.

Really enjoyed this chapter. It was good having it more focused on the trip rather than scattered in a ton of different directions. Seeing the family welcome and acceptance is so good and such a great thing for Richie too, especially at this time when he remembers his parents. CJ as usually is such a great big bro in so many ways. Love him to bits Planting a thought here for future reference and hopefully inspiration. How about a visit to South Africa somewhere in the later stories. Maybe Cape Town. It's a great gay venue and maybe you will make a visit to check it out.

So glad you ended the chapter and this part of the story with that beautiful affirmation of CJ by Owen, following the very brief but poignant comment by CJ on the loss of the election. That was beautifully done. I felt the sadness and the pain of it all over again, though we are still living through it every day since. I still find it hard to understand the support for Trump and that it still seems to be as strong as ever. It's like America lost it's mind and is still suffering some kind of dreadful amnesiac illness that is slowly eating away at the core of all the values that did once make the USA great.

Never a dull moment and I'm sure you get better and better at this, Carlos. Loved it. I did so enjoy Carson's reaction to everything and CJ did ride him on that too. So funny. Poor Gina went very quiet. I sure hope CJ restores her confidence. I'm sure he will, gentleman that he is.

I have read the chapter - the real one - and the comments one! LOL! I think the fact that you get so many comments and such conflicting views is such a healthy sign that you on the button, stirring the pot, getting readers to think and to interact. I love it. Well done, Carlos. I'm so glad you chose to write this story and not another teenage angst thing - we got through that devastatingly quickly with CJ, and he bounced out of it in a healthily, aggressively, exuberant way, determined to be himself and make his mark. I love the mix in your story of fun, humour, politics, society, laws & rules made by governments and how we so often just accept them believing they're in our best interest when they are actually infringing on our rights to decide for ourselves, family, life, gay issues, people issues, etc, etc. You fill the pages with interesting and challenging thoughts as well as the tears and the laughs. Thank you for this magnificent story. I would suggest it should be made into an epic movie serial but then that would probably kill it as some dick producer or director would cut this, add that, and mash the story up completely. While I love watching movies, books are always better as you can put your own imagination on things. Lol. Oh, oh, oh. Nyle DiMarco! I nearly fainted at his name mentioned here. I love him to bits. Thanks for that little snippet!

I'm glad you have had the balls to make politics a part of this story, and I love the way you handle it through CJ. I believe you have created a unique and rather excellent commentary and insight into America in all its glory and it's not-so-glorious. Well done!

Stay home and bake cookies because we have kids - what a hoot! LMAO Nice end to a good chapter of CJ settling in to uni. And, as usual, full of all sorts of interesting little bits that all add to their busy lives and the joy of this story with all it's interactions.

Love it. Great to see what Owen is up to and lovely that CJ is so supportive. Yeah, they will be dangerous, those two! So much always packed in to so little in your chapters. It makes it hard to keep it all together because there are so many strings and threads flying in all directions. Lol. But fascinating, moving and always rewarding. Thanks, Carlos.

Good as always though I find it hard to keep up with all the different happenings. Lol. Probably just too many white hairs!😀 It's really great they have a dog. I love dogs, but at the moment I'm feeling somewhat inundated. I rent a room in a house and the landlord is into puppy foster care so he takes on puppies while they waiting to find homes, and just at the moment he's got a bit carried away. One of the other boarders told me the last count is 17 dogs, most of them poofing piddling puppies. Yikes! Needless to say, my door is firmly shut and a no-go area for dogs. Lol.

I was deeply moved, again, by the devastation of that shooting in Pulse, and it was good to see the reactions of the gay community in CJ's circle. Thank you. It would be hard to not be affected by it. Even I, halfway across the world, was moved and still am re-reading on it. I read many of the comments to see the reactions. Interesting cross-section of political views amongst your readers. I love your replies to them and the stance you take regarding your story and the role CJ plays. Very balanced and appropriate. We are all affected by politics, like it or not. It's part of life. To ignore it because we don't like it is really being an ostrich, so I love it that you tackle it all head on and create this beautiful young man of such wisdom. I really hope many young people read this and are greatly impressed by CJ, just as his friends are.

Lovely Epilogue. Fitting end to Walls.

What a great declaration to end the chapter on. And, yes, it would not be surprising if CJ and Owen were the first of the Squad to marry. So much happening on graduation day and we still have the ceremony and the party. Wow! CJ is a whirlwind that it is difficult to keep up with. I was also interested in the political comments at the beginning. Interesting that we have CJ right in the thick of the Clinton camp but his friend is a Trump supporter. And how true CJ’s ominous comments regarding the effect of Trump being made President. Though the opinions of those supporting him and those opposing him are still much the same and equally strongly voiced by both camps. It will be interesting to see what happens next year.

It seemed like you were building up to something regarding the unpleasant messages CJ had received. I thought there was going to be some incident on the Nashville trip but the incident was not a homophobic attack but an unwanted groping. That guy bit off more than he could chew for sure. Great description of the new guy, Yavonny’s fear of the police stopping in Tennessee. A real fear well described and highlighting the issue of police brutality towards black folk that has been paramount of late. As well as more on the gun possession issue. Life is never dull in the USA it seems. The chapters are always a very interesting mix of all sorts and this is no different – some history, some info about places, some interaction of the group of friends, some relationship stuff, a hint of sex, some politics, the issues of the day. A great mix.

Yeah, Ritchie might well ask what a Rolodex is. I had to use the dictionary to find out. Lol. CJ gets more political by the day, but he really adopts such a wise stance and manages to somehow juggle the different elements and not be hard and fast about where he stands. A true politician! He plays the field as it were, and often better than the politicians themselves. But through it all he keeps his integrity intact. I’m so looking forward to seeing where you take him in life, Carlos.

Wow! So Patrick has finally come out, even if only to CJ. Well, he’s the best person to have come out to and he will see that Patrick is safe. CJ is like an older brother to him. Great chapter on CJ’s political involvement. I will be so interested in CJ’s education of Brad over the Trump issue. I have to say that I really feel sad that Hilary Clinton did not make the presidency. As CJ said, she has balls. She would have made America great for sure.

The large extended family plus friends is such a magnificent thing and so amazing. I love it. Warms my heart so much. CJ is people-orientated and does such a great job relating to everyone wherever he goes, but then a lot of folk in this family are not too much different either. Something I never really had.

A very different NY visit with the storm dampening things down, but the guys make the most of every situation, some more than others it seems. Very enjoyable chapter and a nice sort of interlude.

Wow! What an ending to this chapter! An L declaration by CJ, and almost unconsciously, but not missed by a single person present. So funny that the crowd went dead silent. Lovely chapter showing the interaction of this magnificent group on their holiday, and great to have the news of where each one is going in the coming year or what they plan on doing. Great work, Carlos. Loving this story.